Questions tagged [books]
Questions concerning chess literature.
6
votes
1answer
115 views
Autobiography by Sonja Graf
In the book "Chess Bitch" by Jennifer Shahade I have read that Sonja Graf has written an autobiography in Spanish. Can anyone help me locate the book? It could be in Spanish, German, English or ...
2
votes
2answers
114 views
Sales rankings for chess books?
Are there any estimates sales rankings for chess books? How much do a bestselling chess book generally sell?
2
votes
5answers
113 views
Book recommendations on Pawn Endgame for intermediate and advanced level players?
I just started preparing Endgame using Dvoretsky Endgame Manual. I am wondering if there are more books online about Pawn Endgames that I can use side by side either as an additional study material or ...
5
votes
2answers
117 views
How should I read chess books that show games or parts of games?
When reading books like Sorcerer's Apprentice or Life & Games of Mikhail Tal, often a position is shown followed by a list of moves, then another key position, then more moves, and another ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
What are weak squares in chess; how can they help to mate another player? [closed]
I read this concept in a book but I didn't understand much about the concept. Can anybody explain this concept with an example?
2
votes
2answers
111 views
What are some chess books on openings which include computer analysis?
I once had a book on the sharp Wilkes-Barre variation of the Two Knights Defense written in the 1970s in which there were a few moves which were said to be clearly winning for one side in which a ...
6
votes
1answer
170 views
Looking for a specific chess book
My father taught me chess at a young age. I am still not very good, though. Now, we have started again playing against one another and analyze positions. He remembered a book, which he possessed but ...
1
vote
0answers
54 views
Chessersizes Errata
A quick search didn't turn up anything, but I have been wondering if anyone has ever published an errata sheet or some other update to Pandolfini's Chessersizes books, listing the corrections. In ...
1
vote
2answers
137 views
What is the best way to sell old chess books?
I listed some books on eBay but had little interest (few pageviews/few bids etc.) meaning that I would make an untenable loss on them (I'm not selling them for profit, but I want a reasonable price ...
1
vote
0answers
115 views
Are “My System” and most other classics a bit “out of fashion”? [closed]
I remember, back in the '70s and '80s, that almost every strong GM, or strong player, mentioned, among a few others, "My System" as the book that was mainly responsible for their knowledge of chess ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
Failing to understand a pin from a tactics book
I've began going through, over the board, 1001 Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations - 21st century edition. This book is a great supplement to my last question on studying tactics, and I feel ...
6
votes
4answers
386 views
Getting the most out of chess books
I have a bunch of chess books that have been given to me on my favorite openings. I usually try to do a few games from them after I play my daily games and go over how I could improve with a chess ...
2
votes
2answers
105 views
Book recommendation on Zugzwang
I am looking for a book recommendation on end-games, more specifically how to avoid the Zugzwang and what to do in case they arise.
If you have any book, which has in-depth case study on endgames ...
8
votes
5answers
1k views
Why are opening books so popular?
As title above, why are opening books so popular? I am sure that most players know that middlegame and endgame books are ultimately much more important for improving one's chess strength. That is not ...
2
votes
1answer
205 views
Chess book reviews
What are some of the useful chess book review websites or YouTube channels out there? Or even people with chess blogs or Youtube channels which occasionally post book reviews. Thanks!
1
vote
2answers
193 views
Looking for a repertoire book on the Spanish with 5.d3 (4.d3 vs the Berlin)?
Does anyone know of a good (or not so) repertoire book on the Spanish with 5.d3 vs the main line and 4.d3 vs the Berlin? Is there such a thing on the market? I've already got Andrew Martin's DVD The ...
1
vote
1answer
310 views
Resources on the Ruy Lopez for White - why so few?
The Ruy Lopez is one of the most popular chess openings for both sides after 1.e4, and despite this I feel like there are few good detailed resources for players of the white side wishing to play the ...
3
votes
3answers
306 views
Max Lange Attack - Materials to Study
I am looking for quality materials such as books, magazines and video series to help me to study Max Lange Attack. I'll be grateful if you recommend one and share the link.
Thanks.
10
votes
3answers
674 views
Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual vs Fundamental Chess Endings
I want to know what the differences are between "Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual" and "Fundamental Chess Endings".
I want to know also if these books are compatible, I mean, if I buy for example "...
2
votes
2answers
283 views
Why is Alex Dunne's book 'How to Be a Class A Player' so valuable?
I have been looking for this book for quite some time. I have his book, "How to Become a Candidate Master", but have had trouble finding this one at a reasonable price. Currently on Amazon, used ...
3
votes
4answers
399 views
Learning chess over the board vs using software
I have some good quality chess books and of course use the chess board to follow all chess game examples and variations provided. However I noticed that it is quite a tiring activity as it takes time ...
1
vote
2answers
147 views
What is covered in “Grunfeld Defense: Russian Variations” (1988) by Eric Schiller?
I'm interested in the Russian system of the grunfeld-defense:
[FEN ""]
[StartPly "10"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d54. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3
I'd like to buy a book on this line alone (I'm not interested in ...
-1
votes
1answer
98 views
Which Book should I choose
After watching a good deal of annotated games of Mikhail Tal on YouTube, I've finally decided to go in deeper by the means of 3 of his most famous books
Life and Games of Mikhail Tal
Study Chess with ...
3
votes
4answers
294 views
What are the mistakes committed by players who take many years to become an expert?
I am a beginner and am targeting to become an expert. I see many people who barely takes 4 years to become an expert and many people who take 10 years to become an expert. I don't want to repeat the ...
5
votes
2answers
92 views
Which is MCO book by Walter
My mom is going to chess classes for some years now. Am absolutely noob. She has been asked to buy a book: "Modern Chess Openings" by Walter Korn. While googling, I came to know that the author of ...
0
votes
1answer
128 views
How are chess variations meant to be read
This is a sample position from a book (no further details are given to avoid copyright issues).
I can read the first line and follow it in my mind, departing from the figure. But the continuation in ...
6
votes
2answers
132 views
Is there a copy of Troitsky's analysis of KNN vs. KP online anywhere?
This is almost certainly public domain material by now (I believe it originates in a 1906 article), but I'm happy to buy it with or without Collection of Chess Studies if I can get it as a digital ...
3
votes
1answer
195 views
XiangQi (Chinese chess) textbook or video tutorial
I know how the pieces move and understand basics, like forks and pins. Now I am looking for additional tutorials in English. So far, I've only found this book: "Introduction to Chinese Chess (XiangQi) ...
4
votes
5answers
969 views
A first book for a chess beginner
I am thinking about getting my first chess book. After making a bit of research, people recommend to not worry about opening and endings and start with a primer on general strategy. That description ...
7
votes
1answer
712 views
Great Chess match resources (PGN) suggestions anyone?
Using Arena with a number of Chess engines, I love configuring Arena to use its 'book' feature. There are books of openings, books of famous games, books of particular players, surprise wins, etc.
...
6
votes
2answers
345 views
How to improve my early endgame / late middlegame?
When I search for books on the middlegame versus the endgame, I usually find discussions about positions that have almost nothing to do with each other: the former being rich with strategies with ...
6
votes
2answers
634 views
Can you recommend a variation in the English opening for a technical player?
I'm looking to study the English opening. To cut down my homework, I would like to focus on one or two variations.
Why am I interested in the English opening, I hear you cry? Mostly because I want to ...
3
votes
5answers
887 views
Books for chess traps
I have seen (and studied) some books on opening theory. They basically deal with chess openings and various lines in which those openings can transform into. But I haven't found a book which ...
8
votes
2answers
502 views
Have there really been more books published on chess than any other sport?
In the history of sport — and publishing — it’s not even close: one sport has had more books (and for that matter, magazines, tracts, pamphlets and handbills) published about it far more than any ...
4
votes
1answer
105 views
What is the purpose of editorial comments in Informants?
I was browsing an old Informant today and came across an editorial comment, marked with RR. I've seen several of them at the beginning of a game that reference another game, involving a completely ...
3
votes
1answer
186 views
The New Art of Defense in Chess vs The Art Defense in Chess
Is The New Art of Defense in Chess or The Art Defense in Chess better? I am 1900 on an upward trend.
8
votes
2answers
597 views
Pawn structure books
Which book is better for a 1700-1800 player?
Pawn Power in Chess by Hans Kmoch (originally Die Kunst der Bauernführung, 1956)
Pawn Structure Chess by Andrew Soltis
Chess Structures: A Grandmaster ...
0
votes
1answer
299 views
Best resources to learn the Chigorin variation of the Ruy Lopez for both colors?
I faced this opening 3 times recently in a tournament, and only scored 1 win and 2 losses. I would like to know: what are the best books or DVDs that cover the Chigorin variation of the Ruy Lopez?
7
votes
5answers
1k views
Which of these two endgame books?
I am a beginner (approximately 1400) seeking to improve my endgame technique. Which one of these books would you recommend as suitable for my strength and why?
100 Endgames you must know by Jesus de ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Best books on middlegame strategy?
What are the best works trying to systematically summarize all middlegame themes and strategies: e.g. space advantage, pawn structures, exposed king, minority attack, isolated pawn, hanging pawns, etc....
4
votes
2answers
528 views
Is ECO still the best reference for all chess openings?
Is ECO, Encyclopedia of Chess Openings still considered the best printed reference work for all the chess openings, as it was back in the '80s?
3
votes
4answers
147 views
Endgame books or web-sources
What books or web-sources have people worked with to improve their endgame?
I have gone over Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner to Master and
Understanding Chess Endgames.
I feel good ...
3
votes
3answers
630 views
Advice on how to draw with White
I read opening books a lot and they are always focused on finding a way to draw for Black and finding a way for White to play for a win. This makes me wonder why people are not writing opening books ...
4
votes
5answers
84 views
Light chess literature for beginning kids and their parents
I'm looking for book recommendations for kids learning chess and their parents, or for the broad general public intrigued by chess. The idea is to read stories true or faked that fire the imagination ...
1
vote
6answers
560 views
Books/resources on Scotch (as white) and Petroff (both sides but mainly as black)
Could someone recommend books or online resources on those two openings for intermediate players (about 1800)?
Since my opponents at this level are likely to go out of theory on move 4 or 5, I want ...
13
votes
3answers
793 views
Chess Logic - Tigran Petrosian's doctoral dissertation
I have recently learned that former chess world champion Tigran Petrosian earned a PhD title from Yerevan State University; the title of his dissertation title was Chess Logic.
I would like to read ...
4
votes
3answers
443 views
Which books are suited for 1500 elo?
I currently have 1500 Elo on chess.com and recently I feel like I reached a bottleneck, it seems that no matter what, it is difficult to go higher.
Considering that I want to reach 1800 which books ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
What are good chess books of 2016?
I'm rated around 1582 blitz on lichess. My rating is much higher in classical ( around 1900). I have a USCF rating but it is still provisional and I don't think it really reflects my skill (also I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
223 views
Books dealing with the g3 Queen's Indian
What are the best repertoire or opening books, if any, advocating the g3 variation vs the Queen's Indian for White, in terms of analysis and verbal explanations of the main plans / ideas?
3
votes
2answers
424 views
Repertoire book on the Ruy Lopez exchange variation?
[FEN ""]
1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6
Is there a good opening repertoire book for White advocating the Ruy Lopez exchange variation?
